For those taking effexor...

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Youngwithbc
Youngwithbc Member Posts: 167
edited October 2015 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I want to come off my effexor and was reading about opening the capsules and removing some of the "beads" inside to taper off. However when I just opened the capsule, it's actually a solid small white pill on the inside. No beads. I used to have ones with beads but it appears it's in a different form now.

Just wondering if anyone else's pills are in this form? (If you don't want to open them, you can tell by shaking a pill if it sounds like beads or a solid.) I want to make sure the pharmacy didn't somehow screw up! Also not sure how to do the tapering now...hmm... any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited September 2015

    Hi, I am wondering, have you talked to your doctor about weaning off? Might be a help to be taking something right now, I do not mean to imply I know what is best for you, just asking. I know you can break tablets in half, then in fourths...go that route. As far as it looks different than before, drug companies are constantly changing the looks of pills, my prescriptions often look different and it always surprises me. I would not make a change to your meds without talking to your doctor first. Hope that helps!

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  • Youngwithbc
    Youngwithbc Member Posts: 167
    edited September 2015

    Thanks for replying! Yes my onc knows I am coming off and he said just to stop since I'm on the low dose (37.5). However I've read so many horror stories about withdrawal that I'm freaking out so wanted to try the removing beads strategy... until I just noticed there aren't any beads!

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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited September 2015

    I agree I would not just stop. I would try half a pill for a several days, then a fourth. I have heard to not stop cold turkey...makes more sense yes?!

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited September 2015

    Mine are still beads. My 37.5 pills are stamped 93 7384 the brand is Teva

    I tapered from 75 to 37.5 then off. I did it by taking out about five extra beads a week so it was quite slow. I had no trouble but was really irritable without it so I went back on.

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited September 2015

    youngwithbc: can you tell me what your capsule looks like,, and the letters/numbers stamped on it? I can look it up for you while I'm at work. I'll be here until midnight eastern time.

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  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 746
    edited September 2015

    Mine are the extended release ones and my doctor told to take it every other day for a week and then increase the days between the doses the next week.

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  • kiyasmom
    kiyasmom Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2015

    I have been on Effexor 75Mg for a month and a half.

    I am also taking Arimidex 1mg, have been taking it since April, 2015. I would like to know if anyone is also taking both

    and if you are, have you noticed any weight gain ? I have a belly that I never had before my stage IIA breast Cancer.

    I would like to know if the 2 drugs together are the cause of this.

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited September 2015

    For kiyasmom, many ladies on aromatase inhibitors also take venlaxafine (Effexor's generic name) for hot flashes or as an antidepressant. You must be either post-menopausal or using ovarian suppression in order to have anastrazole/Arimidex prescribed.

    I have a theory about weight issues when estrogen is lacking: our bodies like to have it around for cardiac health, bone strength, mood, etc and can produce it by enzymatic action in fat cells. This means we stubbornly hang on to every shred of adipose tissue available so we can make more of our favorite female hormone!

    Don't blame the drugs alone - it's more of a total metabolism thing, associated with aging, in my opinion. Your primary care physician may want to check your thyroid function or do other assessments but it's up to each individual to maintain exercise levels and control dietary intake. Shapewear can also help...

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2015

    Personally I don't think the two drugs help us lose weight and DO make it easier to gain. I was always lean and the minute I started taking those two combos, bam, freaking belly. I stopped taking the effexor (and to the original poster--I'd break off fragments every other day or so wean off--I weaned off 37.5 but they were beads, so I just took out a few and then a few more each day, really reduced the w/d symptoms which are AWFUL).

    Anyway, after switching to aromasin and getting off the effexor my belly is smaller, and less bloated, I think. So I concur--maybe it's meno, but the freaking drugs add to the adipose fat build up, I'm convinced.

    I'm using 100 mg of 5-HTP for hot flashes and mood support, and it works great.

    Claire

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  • CCinTexas
    CCinTexas Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2015

    Question to claireinaz. What is 100 mg of 5-HTP? and are you taking it instead of Effexor?


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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2015

    It's a form of tryptophan, an amino acid. It helps raise serotonin levels, the feel-good hormone. Since serotonin helps regulate mood and behavior, 5-HTP may have a positive effect on sleep, mood, anxiety, appetite, and pain sensation.

    Yes, I'm taking it instead of effexor, which helped both mood and hot flashes.

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited September 2015

    I do not know why Effexor is so popular on these boards given its reputation for severe withdrawal symptoms. I started to feel depressed following my diagnosis and as I had seen Effexor on here so many times, asked for that (heard that paxil and some others were not recommended for persons with bc even though I am not taking tamox). I was not pleased with Effexor but of course it took weeks to give it time to work and then had to get off it in order to try something different. My doctor put me on celexa while tapering off Effexor and increased the celexa as the Effexor decreased. It was pretty painless for me. It is called bridging, but ensure that your doctor is involved. There are many options out there so please do your research (unlike me). Celexa worked wonders for me.

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited September 2015

    The reason that so many take Effexor is that it can help with hot flashes and it actually approved for that use. Celexa is not approved for that use and as far as I know, doesn't help with HF's.

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited September 2015

    Celexa has been shown to be as effective as Effexor for hot flashes in studies. Effexor is a very effective drug and the most prescribed antidepressant, but it is also know to have the most severe SE when discontinuing. Just something to think about.

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  • Ridley
    Ridley Member Posts: 634
    edited September 2015


    I thought Effexor was so popular because it doesn't interact with tamoxifen. Is Celexa ok as well

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2015

    TB90, are you taking tamoxifen or an AI? If you aren't, you're right: you have plenty of choices.

    However, Ridley's point is correct for those of us taking an anti-hormonal or AI. Effexor is rx'd because it doesn't reduce the effectiveness of Tamox, Arimidex, etc. It's one of the few SSRI's that doesn't. And doctors will tell you that the amount suggested to be prescribed for hot flashes--37.5 mg a day-- won't cause w/d, but apparently they've never taken the drug, because it does.

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited September 2015

    There are several SSRI's that do not interfere with tamox, etc. But someone was very effective in marketing Effexor. Effexor should never be used as a first line treatment for anything, including major depression, but particularly, hot flashes. It is very effective, but due to the incredible risks involved in withdrawing ( and I would think that no one is going to have hot flashes for the rest of their life), other drugs with longer half lives should always be tried first. When women suffer from SE from chemo, etc, it is unacceptable that coming off of Effexor would be even more difficult. But when it addresses a major depression and saves lives, then it is warranted.

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited September 2015

    Just want to point out that, unlike most selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (abbreviated SSRI), venlaxafine/Effexor also affects levels of the neurotransmitter called norepinephrine, making the mechanism of action somewhat unique. Glennie19 and I both happen to be pharmacists although I "retired" a couple years ago...

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited September 2015

    And not everyone has withdrawals from Effexor,,,, some do, some don't.

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited September 2015

    As a mental health worker, I see the agony the patients experience and even though I an agreeing it is a wonder drug for some, it is a nightmare for others. Please just do not assume it is the only option.

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  • kiyasmom
    kiyasmom Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2015

    Thank you all for the advice !

    I have another question .... My Breast cancer is labeled Triple Negative

    My HER2 is negative My PR is negative My ER is 1.17%

    My Breast Surgeon said that the ER # is so low that any Oncologist would call that a negative.

    I was treated for Triple Negative

    After my chemo my Oncologist said he still wanted to target the 1.17% and did put me on Arimidex, as you know I am NOT happy about the belly gain from it.

    Has anyone else had an ER # this low and was put on Arimidex ?

    I am starting to question if I even need to be on it at all.

    Thanks for any input !

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  • StillSurprised
    StillSurprised Member Posts: 14
    edited September 2015

    anyone switch from Prozac to Effexor due to Tam interaction? My oncologist recommending it. From what I've read of Effexor wondering if it might be better to go off antidepressants altogether. Has anyone done that instead

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited September 2015

    Yep I did. My onc had me stop Prozac (40mg I think) for three days then start Effexor. It was no trouble at all.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2015

    I'm off Effexor for good. Decided I'd see what it was like without it and the hot flashes haven't been bad, but I'm taking 5 HTP ( started it as an appetite suppressant :) I found out later that some studies claim it can relieve hot flashes and others say not enough to warrant use.

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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited September 2015

    Hi, I just found this thread.

    I was taken off of Zoloft because it doesn't play nice with Tamox, and am currently taking Effexor. Even on Effexor, the hot flashes are awful, but I am less cranky.

    Has anyone done the genetic test (Cytochrome p250) to determine which antidepressants would work best for you?

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  • CidneyI
    CidneyI Member Posts: 79
    edited October 2015

    I have been on Tamo and Effexor now for a year. The Effexor has been great with managing the hot flashes. I have gained about 20 lbs now and wonder how much if any at all is caused from the Effexor? I want to get off of Effexor anyway and would rather deal with hot flashes than the way Effexor makes me feel. I see my MO next week and will discuss this with him. Anyone here think Effexor can cause weight gain?

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